ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Agreement on Social Security between India and Brazil
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing the Agreement on Social Security between the Republic of India and the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Background
India has been entering into bilateral Social Security Agreements  with other countries in order to protect the interests of Indian professionals / skilled workers working abroad for short durations and enhance the competitiveness of Indian companies.
SSAs broadly provide the following three benefits:
- Avoiding making of double social security contributions by the workers ;
- Easy remittance of benefits ;
- Aggregating the contribution periods  to prevent loss of benefits . The agreement will also provide for disability insurance benefits to the Indian nationals working abroad. As on date, India has signed SSAs with 18 countries.
The idea to ink pacts on social security programmes with BRICS nations was discussed at the meetings of the BRICS Labour& Employment Ministers held on 9 June 2016 in Geneva and on 27-28 September 2016 in New Delhi, respectively. The possibility of concluding social security agreements between BRICS countries also finds mention in the Goa Declaration of the 8th BRICS Leaders’ Summit. Taking forward the spirit of the Goa Declaration, India and Brazil held the negotiations on SSA from 13-16 March 2017 in Brasilia. At the end of the negotiations, both sides initialled the finalized text of the Agreement on Social Security.
The signed agreement will be hosted on the Ministry’s website and the website of Employee’s Provident Fund Organisation for the information of the stakeholders so that they can secure certificates of coverage to avoid making double social security contributions.
At present, about 1,000 Brazilians are living in India, while about 4,700 Indians are living in Brazil. All posted/detached workers and self-employed persons will benefit from this proposal without any discrimination. Thus, it would promote equity and inclusiveness. Export of Social Security benefits of Indian workers after their relocation from Brazil is an innovative arrangement to ensure that there is no loss of social security benefits and also adds to the competitiveness of Indian companies by reducing their overall costs.
The SSA will cover the territories of the Republic of India and the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India keeps up momentum against COVID-19 while PMGKY provides relief
Chandigarh, April 22, 2020
The Government of India has been seeking feedback from the suppliers of the essential services regularly in addition to keeping its momentum against COVID-19. Today in a meeting via video conferencing with Doctors and Senior representatives of IMA, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, allaying all concerns of the medical fraternity, has assured them that the Union Government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring their wellbeing and security. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan also interacted with over 1000 LPG distributors through VC and asked them to maximise free Ujjwala refills for benefit of poor.
To protect the interests of the poor during the lockdown period, a Rs 1.7 lakh crore relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana was announced last month by the Government of India.Under this, the Union Government is crediting Rs 500 into the Jan Dhan Accounts of women beneficiaries, providingadditionalfoodgrains to the poor, giving free gas cylinders to beneficiaries of PM Ujjwala Yojana etc. for three months starting April. While talking about their experience, the beneficiariesin the states of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh expressed satisfaction with its functioning.
Anjali from Faridabad in Haryana expressed gratitude towards the Government of India as she has received additional ration and a free gas cylinder. Before lockdown, she has been working as a domestic maid. A daily wager, Imtiaz Ali from Chandigarh said due to lockdown there is no earning as it is difficult to find work during these times. The ration provided under PMGKY has come as a big relief for him and his family adding that it is a good initiative. While Balo from Chamba in Himachal Pradesh said she has received Rs 500 in her Jan Dhan Account and it will be a big help to her.
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1251833702738354177?s=09 
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1252846035400941568?s=09 
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1252150488948146176?s=09 
As the holy month of Ramzan is about to start, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi yesterday appealed to the membersofMuslim communityto offer prayers and fulfil other religious responsibilities staying inside their homes. Resonating with the view, Mohammad Yakub a resident of Panchkula in Haryana urged his community members to observe the pious month of Ramzan by staying at home itself praying to the almighty to rid India as well as the world of Coronavirus. Rosy from the same locality said she will also observe the holy month staying indoors only and as per the guidelines laid down by the government.
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1252818515116978183?s=09 
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1252837922203512832?s=09
Ministry of Science & Technology
DBT-BIRAC supported indigenously developed DNA Vaccine Candidate by Zydus Cadila, approved for Phase III clinical trials
The Nation’s first indigenously developed DNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19, ZyCoV-D, by M/s Zydus Cadila has been approved by Drugs Controller General of India , for conduct of the Phase III clinical trials. The candidate has been supported by the National Biopharma Mission  under the aegis of BIRAC and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
Zydus Cadila completed Phase-I/II clinical trials of this DNA Vaccine candidate, in India, in more than 1,000 participants and interim data indicated that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic when three doses were administered intradermally. Based on the recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee, which reviewed the interim data, the DCGI has accorded permission for conducting Phase-III clinical trial in 26,000 Indian participants.
Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT and Chairperson, BIRAC expressed happiness and hoped that the candidate vaccine continues to show positive outcomes. Speaking on the occasion, she said, “The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India has partnered with Zydus Cadila, to address the need for accelerated development of an indigenous vaccine for COVID-19. The partnership exemplifies that such research endeavours demonstrate the Government’s focus on creating an ecosystem that nurtures and encourages new product innovation with societal relevance”. She also mentioned , “The establishment of the Nation’s first DNA vaccine platform is an important milestone for Atma Nirbhar Bharat and a big leap forward for Indian scientific research.”
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Van Dhan and TRIFOOD Day at Tribes India Aadi Mahotsav
The ongoing Tribes India Aadi Mahotsav has garnered a positive response from the people, based on the daily footfall. The festival is showcasing the rich heritage and traditions of the tribals from across the country through the regional handicrafts, paintings, cuisine and culture.
With more than 200 stalls from across the country and about 1000 artisans, the Aadi Mahotsav has an amazingly vast variety of ethnic, colourful and bright tribal products – beautiful handcrafted jewellery from the North-east and of the inimitable Dokra style, fine fabrics, weaves and textiles, silks, such as Maheshwari, Eri, Karvathi Kathi silk sarees, Tassar silks, and Pashmina shawls; Moonj Grass basketry and blue pottery from Jaipur, and paintings.
Other than these items, one can also finds the natural and immunity-boosting tribal produce such as organic haldi, dry amla, wild honey, black pepper, ragi, triphala, and lentil mixes such as moong dal, urad dal and white beans; chilli, turmeric sourced from different parts of the country.
Stalls offering these organic and immunity-boosting healthy produce and other herbs were in focus on Day 9 of the Aadi Mahotsav, which is being celebrated as the Van Dhan and TRIFOOD day. The highlight of these products is that these have been processed in Van Dhan centres across the country. In fact, tribals from Van Dhan centres from states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand are present at the Aadi Mahotsav displaying their produce. Commodities like mahua, amla, honey, cashew, tamarind, ginger, garlic and other fruits and vegetables are being processed and converted to mahua drink, amla juice, candy, pure honey, ginger-garlic paste and fruit and vegetable pulp.
Also grabbing one’s attention near the entrance of the fair, is the Van Dhan Demo Centre which gives a bird eye’s view into the activities of a regular Van Dhan centre. In fact, one can get freshly processed amla juice at the Van Dhan Demo Centre.
The Van Dhan tribal centres have emerged as a source of employment generation for tribal gatherers and forest dwellers and the home-bound tribal artisans over the past year. About 2,000 Van Dhan Kendras have been established under the Van Dhan Scheme.
The TRIFOOD project aims to enhance the income of tribals through better utilization of and value addition to the MFPs collected by the tribal forest gatherers. Work has been started in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh already.
The Aadi Mahotsav- A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts, Culture and Commerce is on at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi till the 15th February, 2021 from 11 am to 9 pm.
Visit Aadi Mahotsav and further the “Vocal for Local” movement! #BuyTribal
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 204.25 Cr
Over 3.90 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,43,676
19,673 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.48%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 4.88%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 204.25 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,70,50,160 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 3.90 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10411727
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10090442
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6326405
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18430638
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17671600
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12232865
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
39025191
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
27933544
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
61195423
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
51060366
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
559537449
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
508818122
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
23227539
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203689535
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
195285059
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
15599185
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127442557
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
122039388
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
32552474
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
8,99,38,468
|
|
Total
|
|
2,04,25,69,509
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 1,43,676. Active cases now constitute 0.33% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.48%. 19,336 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,33,49,778.
19,673 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 3,96,424 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 87.52 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 4.88% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 4.96%.
Prime Minister's Office
PM meets makers of award winning documentary short film ‘The Elephant Whisperers’
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has met the makers of Oscar winning documentary short film ‘The Elephant Whisperers’.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“The cinematic brilliance and success of ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ has drawn global attention as well as acclaim. Today, I had the opportunity to meet the brilliant team associated with it. They have made India very proud.”
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
National Centre for Good Governance  and Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs  sign an MoU
The National Centre for Good Governance  and Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs  have signed an MoU here today. The Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances , Shri K. V. Eapen and Dr. Sameer Sharma, Director General & CEO, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs  witnessed the signing of MoU between NCGG, DARPG and IICA, Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Shri K.V.Eapen Secretary DARPG & the Director General of NCGG briefed the objective of the MoU that IICA will support NCGG for utilization of infrastructure facilities during the training programme of NCGG at Delhi and for academic & intellectual interactions for 5 years.
National Centre for Good Governance  has been set up by the Government of India  under the aegis of Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. It aims to promote good governance through Capacity Building on Public Policy and Governance both at National and International Level and carrying out studies/ action research on issues relating to governance
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs , under Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of Indiaasa society registeredon 12th September, 2008 with the primary objective of establishing, managing, maintaining and running a world class institute. The vision is to function as a holistic, Capacity building Institution and think-bank for corporate regulations and reform, though synergised knowledge creation and management, global partnership for real time solutions.
Special Service and Features
Seizure of 2022 Grams gold of 24K purity worth 89.97 lakhs by Chennai Air Customs
Seizure of 2022 Grams gold of 24K purity worth 89.97 lakhs by Chennai Air Customs.
Based on intelligence, one male Indian pax coming from Abu Dhabi by Air Arabia airlines flight no 3L- 141 on 11.11.2022 was intercepted by AlU officers. On search of his person, three bundles of gold in paste form were found in his rectum and one gold ingot of 24K weighing 724 grams was recovered.
In another incidence, one male Indian pax coming from Abu Dhabi by Etihad airlines flight no EY-268 on 12.11.2022 was intercepted by AIU officers. On examination of his checked in baggage, 04 gold strips weighing 1298 grams were recovered.
Totally, Gold weighing 2022 grams valued at 89.97 lakhs was seized from the passengers under the Customs Act, 1962.
Further investigations under progress, according to a press release issued by M.Mathew Jolly, Pr. Commissioner Customs, Chennai International Airport.
###
(
Ministry of Railways
SER ACHIEVES 100 MILLION TONNES FREIGHT LOADING IN FINANCIAL YEAR 2021-22
Kolkata, October 14, 2021
South Eastern Railway  has attained loading of 100 million tonnes of freight on October 11, 2021. It took 35 days less than previous year to achieve the milestone of 100 million tonnes. In the last fiscal i.e. 2020-21, the same feat was achieved on November 15, 2020 informed the SER authority.
During this period, SER has overcome natural calamity like Cyclone Yaas and extended rainfall in Eastern Region, yet all out efforts were made so that essential commodities reach the destination on time to keep the supply chain uninterrupted.
To serve the industrial sectors, SER has given thrust in carrying commodities like coal for power houses, ores and minerals for different industries etc. During the period from April 1 to October 11, 2021, coal loading was 21.13 million tonnes, which is the highest ever loading by this railway. This apart, the loading of iron ore has been 55.95 million tonnes, steel loading 10.14 million tonnes, cement loading 6.55 million tonnes etc.
Formation of BDU  at Zonal and Divisional levels has played a significant role to achieve this remarkable loading performance. Senior officers of SER have been regularly holding meetings with representatives of different industries and freight customers to attract new transportation business with railways.
Moreover, thrust was given on running of long haul trains to accommodate more trains in the existing path. In the current fiscal, till October 11, 2021, altogether 284 long haul trains have been run as compared to 95 long haul trains in the corresponding period of the last fiscal.
Prime Minister's Office
PM hails passage of The Constitution  Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has welcomed the passage of The Constitution  Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha today.
The Prime Minister posted on X :
"Delighted at the passage of The Constitution  Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha with such phenomenal support. I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill.
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic legislation which will further boost women empowerment and will enable even greater participation of women in our political process."
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to participate in India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Tokyo on 8th September
To separately hold bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart
Upon completion of his visit to Mongolia, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will leave for Japan on September 07, 2022 on a four-day official visit. The Raksha Mantri, along with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, will participate in the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Tokyo on September 08, 2022. The Japanese side will be represented by Minister of Defence Mr Yasukazu Hamada and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Yoshimasa Hayashi.
The 2+2 Dialogue will review bilateral cooperation across domains and chart out the way forward. India and Japan are pursuing a Special Strategic and Global Partnership. This year marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In addition to the 2+2 dialogue, Shri Rajnath Singh will separately hold bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries across various sectors. He is also scheduled to call on the Prime Minister of Japan Mr Fumio Kishida during the visit.
The Raksha Mantri will also attend a community event organised by the Embassy of India in Tokyo and interact with the Indian diaspora in Japan.
Ministry of Power
POSOCO organizes Training program on Power System Modelling and Simulation
Two week workshop organized for BBINS countries
National Grid operator Power System Operation Corporation Limited  is organizing a two-week training program on ‘Power System Modelling and Simulation’ from 18th to 29th April 2022. The training program is being attended by participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka at New Delhi. The workshop is being organized in close association with The Integrated Research and Action for Development IRADe.
Sh. Alok Kumar, Secretary  inaugurated the workshop in presence of Sh. S. R. Narasimhan, CMD POSOCO, Sh. R V Shahi, Chairman, SAGE – RIS, Sh. John Smith-Sreen, Director, Indo-Pacific Office, USAID, Dr. Jyoti Parikh, Executive Director, IRADe, Sh. Vinod Kumar Agrawal, Technical Director, SARI/EI, Sh. R.K. Porwal, Head NRLDC , and Sh. Kirit Parikh, Chairman IRADe along with officials from POSOCO.
The program is being delivered by engineers from POSOCO and it would include self-assessment tests on major functional areas covered in the course followed by interactive sessions with senior executives and industry experts. The participants would get an opportunity of field visits to world’s first multi terminal HVDC station at Agra.
Power System Modeling and Simulation training program is designed to familiarize participants from the basics to advanced level of power system. This course has theory as well as hands-on sessions on power system, per unit system, modelling of power system elements, steady state load flow studies, fault analysis, dynamic modelling and simulations, reactive power studies, transfer capability assessment and optimal power flow.
Ministry of Defence
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visits ENC
Hon'ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh arrived Visakhapatnam today, 29 June 19 on a two-day maiden visit to ENC. On arrival at INS Dega, the Raksha Mantri was received by Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff  and Vice Adm Atul Kumar Jain Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC and was presented a Guard of Honour.
The Raksha Mantri also held a meeting with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Shri YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and officials of State and District Administration on Saturday evening. Both jointly reviewed the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects and proposals of the Indian Navy in Andhra Pradesh state and directed concerned officials to continue the proactive Civil-Military Synergies and cooperation between the Indian Navy and Govt of AP to expedite the progress of the naval issues.
During the visit, Shri Rajnath Singh would be apprised on the operational readiness of the Command and other relevant aspects of maritime and coastal security in the Eastern Seaboard at HQ ENC. The Raksha Mantri is also scheduled to visit ships and submarines of ENC and interact with the naval personnel and defence civilians prior to his departure to New Delhi.
DKS/CGR/MS
(Visitor Counter : 638
Ministry of External Affairs
Cabinet approves ex-post facto approval for Agreement on the facilitation of visa arrangements signed between India and Maldives
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post facto approval to the Agreement on the facilitation of visa arrangements signed between India and Maldives signed in December, 2018.
The Visa Facilitation Agreement signed during the visit of Maldivian President to India aims to further deepen people to people exchanges between the two countries making it easier for Maldivian and India nationals to travel to each others' countries for tourism, medical treatment, education as well as business and employment. The Agreement provides for 90-day visa free travel for tourism, medical and limited business purpose and also provides for easy conversion of such visa free entry to medical visa as well as visas for dependents of students and those pursuing employment in each other's territories.
Background:
India and Maldives share time tested and traditional bonds of friendship. Close people to people contacts constitute the foundation of special bilateral relation between India and Maldives, which received a positive momentum with the visit of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to Male in November, 2018 for the Inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President of Maldives, Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and the subsequent visit of the Maldivian President to India in December, 2018.